Matt Tolfrey and Christopher Sylvester - Almost There

Matt Tolfrey and Christopher Sylvester - Almost There
Radio Slave and James Masters' Rekids label is well known for relatively straightforward, driving 4/4 with character and quality, but their success can also be attributed to the variety of flavours they do it in. Bringing the partnership of Matt Tolfrey and Christopher Sylvester in was a smart move, then, because their often deep and weird take on tech house gets upped a few notches with Almost There. So: "Almost There" is based around a wordless vocal loop and has gloopy bass in the same way as last year's successful "I Just Can't Take It," but adds heavier percussion, particularly congas in the midrange which make it roll more, and rushing hi-hats which break in with force every so often. Heavy piano chords help too, and combine with the vocals to complete the mood. It's the type of thing you could have seen coming, given the teaming of label and artists.

The flip, "Touch the Toes," is a bit more surprising. It's still loop-based, but has enough to keep you interested in its first few seconds for the nigh-on ten minutes of its length. More congas: but more eccentrically accented, bobbling and syncopated, and a slinky "come with me" vocal swinging smoothly around them. A very funky mix indeed, and the way they're toned together to give a lush Amazonian vibe conjures images of firelit ceremonial dances in jungle clearings.

More on Matt Tolfrey

It’s safe to say that Matt Tolfrey’s career in music has been heavily informed by his early 2002 residency at Nottingham’s The Bomb. Shifting from University student to student of house/techno, Tolfrey quickly picked up the skills that mark out a true DJ: varied selection, an open mind, and the ability to read as well as lead a crowd. This passion for unearthing quality, moving with the times, and creating his own vision of where electronic music is heading has extended to his Leftroom imprint; now running for 10 years and celebrating 50+ releases from artists as varied as Maceo Plex and Laura Jones to Jay Haze and DJ Bone, picking up equally varied love and support along the way.
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